Om Diva

Loving the sparkle in Om Diva at the moment.  Pop in to pick up gorgeous jewellery and vintage style handbags at very reasonable prices.  Library diva is loving the chanel style bag and belt she got today! Happy Shopping! :)

Perk up @ the loft sale

Got this fab 1960's shift dress for 45 euro @ perk up vintage in the loft market in powerscourt shopping centre.

Ferocious Mingle Marcade

Last Friday I was wandering around Thomas Street in search of  a market or a charity shop where one could get some stage appropriate attire for Healyfest.  I was beginning to think that my search was in vain when I happened across something special - The Ferocious Mingle Marcade.  A smorgasbord of hipness where you can get retro computer games, watch a silent movie in the arcade theatre, listen to rock music, browse vintage clothes or people watch over a coffee in Oscar Verne's.  Definitely worth a visit.  Here's the facebook link to find out more:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Ferocious-Mingle-Marcade/232446616822953?fref=ts

Thrifty Threads Tour of Dublin from Temple Bar to Ranelagh

Need to update your wardrobe but low on cash?  Heres the definitive guide of where to
go in Dublin.....

Shotsy Vintage:
Fabulous new vintage shop in Temple lane south, Temple bar
Follow the blog http://shotsyvintage.tumblr.com/ask
or check them out on www.twitter.com/shotsy

Lucy's Lounge:
Located in the centre of temple bar, Lucy's lounge is a myriad
of treasures and curiosities.  For a preview of whats on offer check
out the blog http://lucyslounge-dee.blogspot.com/

Carousel:
Vintage boutique on Wicklow street.   Check out their website
http://www.carouselvintage.com/

Om Diva
Vintage boutique and sewing academy on Drury Street.
Browse their vintage clothing or learn to update your
existing wardrobe at their sewing classes.  Library diva
loved the  'sip and stitch' course and the 'learn to love your
machine' workshops.  Check om diva out on Facebook.

Harlequinn:
Located on Drury street this granny's attic of a shop has everything from Hats to shoes,
Dresses to trousers from the 1920's to the 1990's. 

Beaux Bows
Georges street arcade.  Cute as a button clothes and accessories.  This relatively new boutique
stocks Irish designers such as Chupi.  Look Beaux bows up on facebook.

OXFAM
Georges Street, this branch of Oxfam holds quality vintage apperal at rock down
prices.  Brides to be should take a look at their wedding collection.

Enable Ireland:
Located on George's Street, this shop boasts the best dressed window on the
charity shop circuit.

Cancer Society:
Rathmines.  Heaving with clothes and curiosity's.  Library diva picked up a bargain tent
for 8 euro.  Bargaintastic.

Green with Envy:
Rathmines.  Vintage and Art exchange store in Ranelagh.
A relative newcomer to the vintage and art scene.  The shop is run
by the lovely and talented margaret who has made the beautiful painting in the
store. Definitely worth popping in for a browse.
To make some money out of your unwanted clothes, check out
http://www.greenwithenvyfashion.com/

De Ja Vu
Ranelagh village.  New and gently worn designer swap shop.
This shop is run by the lovely Mary McNulty who has a good eye for
what suits the customer.
Library diva recommends engaging in some friendly haggling.

library diva gets her dress!

    Avid readers may remember my preoccupation with a particular dress,  The dress.  A dress which became much more that cloth and stitching for me.  An obsession which consumed far too much time and energy than is really healthy.  Avid readers may also recall my disappointment when my correspondence with the dress designer halted abruptly.  After the rejection, i decided that maybe me and the dress were not meant to be.  There would be another dress for me, and there was.  A lovely long 1970's dress which i purchased at the vintage fair in Dunlaoghaire last month.  I comforted myself that maybe the bombshell dress wasn't as pretty as i thought it was, and besides it was far too expensive, costing 5 or 6 times more than my other dresses!
Last week the dress designer e-mailed me back.  She had my dress in stock, in my size and was ready to send it over.  I ignored the e-mail for a few days, I had another dress now, i didn't need her dress.  My 1970's dress was enough for me, or was it.
Last night i was on-line and bored, so on a whim i googled the dress.  It turns out my obsession, the bombshell dress is a bit of a phenomenon.  Apparently Nigella lawson bought 12 bombshell dresses in different colours last year, and sparked a 'fashion explosion'.  This fashion phenomenon completely passed me by at the time,but i had to admit Nigella looked awesome.  This got me thinking, maybe the dress was worth the price, after all, i am in my mid 20's now, nigella is 50.  If i can wear the dress at every possible occasion for the next 20-30 years it will have paid for itself! The ultimate in investment shopping.
So...to conclude, i  have decided to purchase the dress.  In hot pink.  Just like one of Nigellas.
If you want to read more about my dress (Yipee!) click on the link http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/columns/hilary-alexander/TMG5940737/Nigella-Lawson-starts-a-fashion-explosion.html
http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/the-vogue-blog/articles/090703-the-bombshell-dress.aspx

Here is a picture of the lovely Nigella wearing my guna :)

A vintage wedding

Library Diva may be turning an unspecified age tomorrow ( a lady, no matter how young, never divulges her years), but there is only one event on my mind tomorrow.  As unoriginal as it may be, i am totally obsessed with the impending nuptials of HRH Will and Kate.  Guffaw all you will, i bet you will be taking at least a furtive glance at Kate's bridal gown.  Yes you will, go on, admit it!
So lets raise a toast to Will and Kate and all of the other lovely couples getting Wed this weekend.  May a lifetime of happiness and good fortune await you.

For all the brides to be looking for the perfect vintage dress for your big day, heres the list you've been waiting for:

Where to Buy a Vintage Wedding Dress

Hayworth Vintage: Ireland's first on-line vintage shop, sells a large selection of beautiful bridal gowns.
Check out hayworthvintage.com.

vintage wedding dress company:  A uk based company.  If you see something on line that you love,
you can go over to london to try it on.  Check outvintageweddingdresscompany.com

Vintage Bride:  An Irish based company. Check out vintagebride.ie

Oxfam, designer swap shops and charity shops: A discount gown may be waiting for you.
check out oxfamireland.org/oxfambridal


For the perfect musical accompaniement to your fabulous day, check out the very talented and entertaining Alan o Baillie on http://irishweddingbagpipes.art.officelive.com/default.aspx

Vintage Fair Dun-laoghaire

The vintage scene in Dublin is buzzing at the moment.  Thanks to muscians like Imelda May and Adele, celebrities like Kate Moss and Fern Cotton and T.V. shows like Mad Men and Boardwalk empire, everyone is being inspired to turn back the clock on fashion.

Why go vintage?
Vintage shopping has a fun, raiding your grand ma's attic appeal to it.  When you enter a vintage shop, its a free for all- from the tragic to the sublime! 
The quality of vintage clothing is often far superior to the clothing you find on the high street.  We are living in an age of disposable clothing.  It is a rare treat to own an item of clothing that was made with love and care.  You can often pick up designer gear at a fraction of the retail price in vintage shops and designer swap shops.
Vintage clothes are living pieces of history, items made in the 50's, 60's and 70's have survived social, cultural and political change.

Golden Rules for buying and wearing vintage (according to me)

1.  Hunt for vintage wares in charity shops, designer swap shops, vintage fairs, vintage shops and markets.
2. Consider what you own already and pick items that would fit in well with what you own
3. Don't be afraid to bargain, not everyone will be open to selling at a discounted rate, but theres no harm in
    trying.
4 Don't dress head to toe in vintage.  Mix your vintage pieces with modern clothes to avoid looking like a
crazy granny or like your off to a fancy dress party.  I have been guilty of vintage overkill in my time.  Friends of mine may remember a huge 1970's vintage coat i used to wear with a huge red vintage hat.  I thought i looked glam everyone else thought i looked like a crazy lady who keeps cats.  Its a thin line.
5. If you find something you absolutely love, jump on it before someone else does.

Vintage Fair in Dun laoghaire

Im not alone in my love of vintage judging by the massive crowds of retro fans who turned up to the  clothing and decor fair hosted in the Royal Marine in Dun laoghaire today.  A fabulous mix of hair revamps, make-up stands, make-over demonstrations and clothing and decor stands.  Unfortunately, the fair was so over-crowded it was close to impossible to comfortably have a look at all the stands present.  If anyone in the know reads this- please, please change to a larger venue next year.  The cramped surroundings really took away from the experience.

Here are a few treasure troves i discovered today!

Hems and Gem's: The shop is located in Gorey county Wexford and sells reasonably priced vintage fashions.  Check them out on facebook www.facebook.com/hemsandgems

Hayworth Vintage:  An Irish based on-line vintage shop, postage is free within Ireland http://www.hayworthvintage.com/.

Maeve Brady's Vertigo Vintage:  Affordable vintage bags, hats and jewellery.  Only available
at vintage fair's http://www.vertigovintage.com/

Shotsy: Brand new shop in temple bar www.facebook.com/shotsyvintage

Some of my favourite shops had stalls at the fair:

Om diva: Probably my very favourite shop in Dublin.  Om diva specialises in revamped vintage, designer vintage and one of a kind pieces of clothing mixed with cute and quirky hats and accessories.  Check out their 6 week sip and stitch course.  Sewing and wine- it sounds dangerous but is actually great craic. I did a course with my friends and we learned plenty of tips and tricks on revamping tired clothes.   http://www.facebook.com/om%20diva#!/pages/Om-Diva/293102896824.

Wild child: Check out their one kilo for 20 euro sale http://www.facebook.com/wildchild#!/pages/Wild-Child-Vintage-Clothes/146282568762312

Of course i didn't leave the fair empty handed.  I bagged a georgeous 1970's midnight blue dress absolutely perfect for a wedding im going to in 2 weeks.  I got the dress from hayworth vintage and paid 40 euro (marked down from 45 euro- score).  I also bought a white cotton shirt with lace collar from shotsy vintage.  I plan on teaming the shirt with a pencil skirt or high waisted trousers.

Unfortunately i missed out on seeing loads of stuff due to over-crowding.  Luckily for me there is a vintage fair planned for Galway on the 19th June.  I can't wait for it!
Vintage Heaven in Dublin
Harlequin http://dublin.ratemyarea.com/places/the-harlequin-13181
a treasure trove of vintage apperal.  Can be a bit pricy but i bagged a turban for 9 euro last
november and have been wearing it constantly since.  Worth a look.

Retro http://www.georgesstreetarcade.com/retro/index.php
Absolutely fabulous.  Imelda May shops here, need i say more.  Lovely staff, fabulous retro dresses. Definitely worth a browse.  Very expensive, so be warned!

Om diva http://www.facebook.com/pages/Om-Diva/293102896824
Fabulous new and vintage clothing.  Check out their sewing academy.  I dare you to
enter the shop and leave without buying something!

The loft market http://theloftmarket.com/
vintage and Irish designers.  Mix of price ranges depending on the stalls.  Some of the stalls
cost an arm and a leg and others are very reasonable.  I love chupi.

Wild child http://www.wildchildoriginals.com/
Deadly shop.  Check out their kilo for 20 euro sale.
Irish Cancer society in Rathmines
Small selection but great prices.  I always pop in. 

De ja vu http://www.facebook.com/dejavu#!/pages/Deja-Vu/106167582786986
A designer swap shop in Ranelagh.  Good selection of wares.  Haggling is encouraged.

Lucy's lounge http://lucyslounge-dee.blogspot.com/
Located in temple bar.  Great selection of good quality vintage clothing and household items.

Carousel http://carousel-boutique.com/
Pretty shop, a bit on the pricy side, but they sometimes have good sales.

Shotsy   www.facebook.com/shotsyvintage
A new shop in temple bar.  I can't wait to visit

The love of a good dress

Two weeks ago, it happened.  There i was walking down the street, minding my own business when bam it hit me.  Like a bolt from the blue.  There it was, the one i had always wanted.  The dress of my dreams.  A bombshell of a dress.  Mid-lenght in a 60's style reminiscent of Marilyn Monroe and Joan Halloway from Mad men.  The strawberry print on navy blue jersey was georgeous.  I had to try it on...
Slipping it on, it fit like a glove.  The only problem, the price.  A cool 250 euro is more than i live on in a week!  Reluctantly, i put it back on the rail and stepped away from the dress.

The next day at work, i sorrowfully rehashed the story of the dress that was not to be.  "Why don't you pay for the dress in installments, a lot of boutiques are offering that option these days" suggested a recessionista of the highest order.  Mmm.  maybe that would work.

The following day i returned to the shop to plead my case.  Armed with a friend i sauntered up to the counter and requested the dress in my size.  Sorry we just sold that particular dress a few minutes ago.  No i thought it can't be.  I tried a similar dress on but it wasn't the same.  Would i ever get the dress of my dreams...

Luckily for me i made a note of the web address of the company who make the dress.  That evening, i googled the company name.  Finding the company, i e-mailed them enquiring about the possibility of buying
the dress in my size.  Yes they replied.  Yipee! The internet holds the key to all.

Meanwhile, my recessionista friend kindly facebooked me a link to a vintage site http://www.pinupgirlboutique.com/.  Fabulous clothes and highly addictive.

Did i get the dress in the end?  Sadly not.  After a brief flirtation where we exchanged information on colour, size, price, payment options, postage, the correspondence ceased suddenly.  Im not sure if it was something i said. There i was ready to commit to this dress, to hand over my hard earned cash, then nada...

So how does this story end, am i destined to trawl vintage websites for eternity constantly in search of the one?  Hopefully not,  There is a vintage fair this sunday in Dun laoghaire.  Who knows what i might find...
http://stylebible.ie/Events+Listings/_Vintage%20Fashion%20and%20Decore%20Fair.htm